When the Hotel Syracuse was completed in 1924, it included
retail stores at street level, an emergency hospital, and 612 rooms
with baths. Tennis, squash and handball courts were located on the roof.

The Three towers, connected at the base, resemble
classical columns. Different materials and ornamentation are used to
differentiate the column division into base, shaft and capital.
Light sandstone is used at the base and to frame windows in the "capital,"
red brick is used to face the shaft.

The most elegant meeting room was the Persian Terrace on
the main level. The Rainbow Room, named for the tubular lighting
within the glass-block entrance, was added in 1937 following Prohibition.

In 1948 Carl Roters was commissioned to complete a 40-foot
mural in the lobby depicting people and events from Syracuse's early
history. This has since been covered over during remodeling.
Four additional works, also painted by Roters on walnut panels, have been
removed from the Cavalier Room.

Numerous celebrities have visited the Hotel Syracuse
over the decades. These include at least five U.S. Presidents: Dwight
Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
In addition there was aviator Charles Lindbergh, entertainers Bob Hope,
Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones and John Lennon with
Yoko Ono.

In the 1990's the Hotel Syracuse fell into bankruptcy and
has been struggling financially ever since. Its future remains uncertain.

Original 10th floor plan (Source: Hotel Syracuse)

Original 3rd floor plan (Source: Hotel Syracuse)

Images from the collection of the Hotel Syracuse

Groundbreaking for new hotel in 1922

Child movie star Jackie Coogan at opening ceremony August 16, 1924.

In later life Coogan played Uncle Fester on the Adams Family TV show. Coogan was born in Syracuse.

September 1, 1924

Cover of the Herald Tribune, Souvenir Edition, announcing the opening of the Hotel Syracuse.